What We do

MediaMerge provides AVL systems for new construction and renovation projects. We can work directly with your church or as a sub-contractor. Technical renovation projects that do not involve major construction are often completed turn-key with MediaMerge serving as general contractor.

Design - We believe that good design is good stewardship, and it ultimately pays for itself. It’s easy to connect two devices and get a signal. The real challenge lies in identifying needs, anticipating pitfalls, providing clear communication and overcoming architectural limitations. That’s where we live.

Installation - Safety is the first concern when it comes to installation. Whether it’s hanging equipment overhead or pulling wire, our installers follow code to the letter. All wiring is meticulously managed and documented for future serviceability. We can’t wait to see the smile on your face when you see your racks for the first time.

Training & Support - Our official policy on training is that we don’t have one. If your team can’t use our technology then we have failed. Whether it’s one short training session or ten, we guarantee that your team will get the training and support they need.

FAQs

Who is an ideal MediaMerge client?

Anyone who values creativity, excellence and relationship is an ideal match for our team.

In our minds, a relationship built on trust, honest communication, and passion is an absolute necessity for all successful projects. Our ideal clients love what they do and need a partner to help them navigate the waters of integrating presentation technology into good architectural design.

We’re very intentional about whom we choose to invest in, and you should be, too. If we don’t seriously believe we can bring value to the table that will be recognized clearly by a potential client, we pass. If we don’t sincerely believe that a new project is going to be a stepping stone in a long-term relationship, it’s not for us.

Who does MediaMerge not work well with?

One of the hardest truths for us to accept is that we are not the right solution for everyone.

We realize that agreeing to do business with someone could mean long meetings, sharing varying opinions and making hard choices. We are selective with who we work with because we have to be both for ours and the clients sake. We don’t work well with churches that:

Are looking for equipment not a relationship

Make it hard to build trust

Expect us to match an inferior products pricing

What is your process like for new construction?

Over the years we’ve developed an approach to new construction that addresses the difficulties many clients face.

In many instances facility design is a living process in which the final concept evolves over the life of the project. In many cases, the architect and general contractor will require details, drawings, specifications early in the process so that bids can be solicited for structural elements, electrical work, etc. However, the sound, video and lighting systems are not usually designed at this point, and in many instances the integrator has not even been chosen.

To solve this chicken-and-the-egg predicament, we’ve developed the Design Retainer Process. In this arrangement the client can retain our services to provide design support for infrastructure and logistics while the media system design is being fleshed out with the client. Architects receive conduit & electrical drawings, layouts, and all of the design documents they need to move forward with the project before the client is locked into a particular media system design. Once a final proposal is adopted the retainer fee is applied toward the purchase of the system.

In this arrangement we are able to provide the design support required by the architect with minimal financial risk to the client up front. Perhaps the biggest benefit of this approach is that we are able to establish a deeper relationship with the client and a better understanding of the project prior to proposing specific system solutions. Over time the Design Retainer Process has minimized construction delays and delivered a superior end-result because the system design is the result of an active dialogue rather than our best guess at the client’s real needs.

How do we approach renovation projects?

Renovations are often very different than new construction.

Depending on the scope, the Design Retainer Process may work as well for renovations as new construction.

A phone interview is normally the first step. We typically request copies of any facility documentation that is available: images of the room, floor-plan drawings, elevations, etc. We review those documents and the notes from the initial interview in order to determine what approaches seem reasonable. Sometimes more information is required at this point, and in some instances the next step would be a site visit with your team.

MediaMerge is a long way from me, isn’t that a problem?

From our perspective, once you’re more than an hour’s drive from a project, it’s all a wash.

Whether it’s 50 miles or 500 miles, most communication is going to involve a phone call or email. In this day and age, business just works that way.

Modern conference technologies and the internet have made long-distance collaboration a reality. Whether the client is down the street or across the country, it tends to be the preferred method of communication.

Most service issues can be resolved remotely, as well. With our proprietary control systems and active reporting technologies we often know about technical problems before our client does. Almost everything interfaces with a computer, and those computers can be accessed remotely. With many systems, our techs get an email the moment parameters fall outside of system norms.

The best advice for this particular issue is to contact our past clients if you have concerns about this issue. Their real world experience provides the best response to the question.

How does MediaMerge handle projects that don’t go as planned?

You should aways take adaptability into consideration the when working with an AVL technology vendor.

Over the last 20 years we can now predict almost every obstacle that could potentially halt momentum during any project. We have learned to prepare for those obstacles and have developed a go with the flow mentality to things like change orders, building codes, structural changes, and even budgetary constraints.

Does MediaMerge bid on competitive bid projects?

The short answer is “no”.

MediaMerge only offers design/build services and does not provide stand-alone consulting or bid on the installation of other consultants’ designs.

While design/bid may work well for typical construction, in most cases we do not believe that this approach is in the best interest of our clients when it comes to presentation systems.

What is the MediaMerge warranty for installed systems?

All MediaMerge systems are warranted for one year from first use.

The warranty is completely comprehensive and covers everything but abuse or mis-use.

What type of training does MediaMerge offer?

Our policy on training is that we have no official policy on training.

Your team will know how to use the system effectively when we are finished.

We offer on-site sessions during the completion of the installation, and we field phone calls and email on a regular basis. Some clients get it in a few hours. Some clients need several sessions over the course of weeks.

The bottom line is that our job is not complete until you are comfortable with your new system.

Why does MediaMerge advocate design/build for media systems instead of the typical bid process that’s used in construction?

Over the years we’ve come to believe that the best results are achieved when presentation systems are designed and installed in a turn-key design/build fashion. There are three key reasons:

The first deals with economics. Let’s just consider labor. Consultants typically charge 10-20% of the total budget for presentation systems. The system contractor’s installation/project management labor will usually cost 10-15% of the budget. In this arrangement total labor will typically fall in the 20-35% range. In a typical MediaMerge project labor averages 12-14% of the total budget. The difference largely consists of the time and effort needed to communicate ideas between two separate entities. You’re also paying the overhead for two separate companies when there is a consultant and contractor at the table.

Accountability is another big factor in the equation. A consultant designs the system and then a contractor interprets the design and installs it. When a problem presents itself, whose responsibility is it? The contractor will say it is a design problem, and the consultant will argue that the design was not implemented properly. Meanwhile the client is in the middle waiting for someone to step up and own the issue. With our design/build approach, there is only one point for accountability. There are never cost overruns due to design errors. If we make a mistake, we own it. If there is any kind of issue, it’s our responsibility and our time is spent developing the solution and not a defense.

Finally, the bid process is simply not conducive to creativity. With two factions defending territory, flexibility goes out the window. Every change brings a flurry of meetings and paperwork. Creative ideas do not abound in this type of atmosphere.

While the competitive-bid process can work in the right application, we just don’t believe it produces the exceptional results that are the hallmark of MediaMerge systems.

Purchasing Process

Our projects have taken us across the country, working with a wide range of worship styles. We approach each project as a clean slate. Whether it’s large or small, traditional or contemporary, your church is unique, and we strive to understand your needs. The process usually looks something like this:

Needs Assessment - We work together to identify your stated goals and uncover your hidden needs

Design Development - Your goals are translated to conceptual designs including preliminary budgets

Drawings & Documentation - The design is formalized with drawings and schematics

Installation - Systems are built, tested and installed according to the documentation and drawings

Commissioning - The systems are programmed and tested to ensure they meet our specifications

Training & Support - Your team is trained to use the systems effectively

Questions?

If you still have questions feel free to let us know. One of our AVL specialists will respond within 24 hours.

“MediaMerge worked with our team to bring together all of the creative ideas to reach our desired outcome. We have been extremely pleased with the feedback from our congregation and guests, and the new systems have been a game-changer for us. There is a new level of excitement in our media/tech and worship team volunteers because the investment took our worship presentation to a much higher standard of excellence.”

Bubba EubankWorship Pastor, Green Valley Baptist Church

Why MediaMerge?

Project Experience

Our projects have taken us across the country, working with a wide range of worship styles. We approach each project as a clean slate. Whether it’s large or small, traditional or contemporary, your church is unique, and we strive to understand your needs.

See Your Project Before Installation Begins

We use the latest 3D modeling technology to work out concepts in the virtual realm long before construction begins. This technologyenables us to show you a wide range of options to solve each design challenge.

Systems Built for Growth

You don't invest in new technology every year, and we get that. Our creative background in a broad range of projects helps to design a turn-key AVL system that can be rolled out all at once or in phases depending on your needs.

Engineered for You

Selling you a system without taking into full consideration the people who will use the technology day-in and day-out is not good stewardship. We focus on finding the right equipment to meet your needs and experience level. Then we engineer the systems to be use-able by your team.